Triple Crown dream alive for Tizzard

Backing a Cue Card price boost to win the King George VI Chase makes sense atfer his heroics at Kempton last year.

As winner of the 2015 running of the King George and victor in this season’s Betfair Chase at Haydock, Cue Card is the highest-rated horse in this year’s renewal.

Racing officially off 176 and a dizzyingly high Racing Post mark of 184, the 10-year-old triumphed 12 months ago at Kempton by a head over the ill-fated, but brilliant French-bred, Irish-trained Vautour.

Tizzard’s star showed real heart and determination when getting up in the final strides of a thrilling climax. Cue Card faces a smaller field now he’s bidding to retain the King George crown.

Although then falling three out when going well in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, this great gelding bounced back with a facile nine-length success in the Betfred Bowl at Aintree’s Grand National Festival.

Running at Punchestown was perhaps one too many for Cue Card last season. He came on for a three-length third of seven finish in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby behind Irish Cavalier when returning to action, and then spectacularly scored last time out at Haydock.

Cue Card’s 15-length romp to land the Betfair Chase really did underline his qualities, and leaves trainer Tizzard in with every chance of capturing the National Hunt Triple Crown. The King George is the second leg of that, with the Cheltenham Gold Cup to come.

Should this Cue Card price boost fail to come in, then fear not. Coral will compensate all losing wagers with a €/£5 free bet token. He’s the best horse on paper in the King George, though, and is expected to make that show.